8th Middlesex House candidates putting the work in

Friday

Oct 12, 2012 at 8:00 PMOct 12, 2012 at 8:30 PM

In the race to fill the 8th Middlesex District seat in the state House of Representatives, each candidate is running an old-fashioned grass-roots campaign, with shades of modern technology: they prefer hand-shaking and door-knocking, yet each has a website and social media presence.

In the race to fill the 8th Middlesex District seat in the state House of Representatives, each candidate is running an old-fashioned grass-roots campaign, with shades of modern technology: they prefer hand-shaking and door-knocking, yet each has a website and social media presence.

State Rep. Carolyn Dykema, D-Holliston, is being challenged by Marty Lamb, who owns a real estate law practice.Mr. Lamb vows to bring leadership, new ideas that will create a better business environment and create a more transparent government. Ms. Dykema said, if re-elected, said she will continue her work strengthening local communities through state aid, job creation and reforms to improve efficiency.

Both candidates are focused in improving education and reducing unemployment.

Ms. Dykema said she was inspired to first seek a local office to help strengthen the community she chose to raise her family in; likewise, she decided to run for state office because she saw the direct impact state policies have on local communities. She defines herself as a full-time legislator, working to find state programs and opportunities that her district can take advantage of to not only strengthen the community, but benefit residents and businesses. “Since I was first elected, this job has been about strengthening our communities, and I will continue to advocate for state policy that puts our communities first,” Ms. Dykema said.

Mr. Lamb said he is running for the state representative to make things better for the next generation — including his two daughters.

“I have two daughters working their way through college,” Mr. Lamb said. “I don’t want them to be forced out of state due to lack of economic opportunities. I want our next generation to be able to succeed in Massachusetts.

Ms. Dykema conducts her grass-roots campaign the same way she works as a legislator — personally, respectfully and frugally — and as she campaigns, she is hearing growing frustration from constituents about political gridlock at the federal level, but said in Massachusetts, there is broad bipartisan for health care and education funding and support for veterans’ programs.

Mr. Lamb estimates he has knocked on more than 5,000 doors, and has the posted photos of the tattered and worn out shoes to prove it. He, too, has heard the district’s frustration and concerns about the economic outlook, taxes and lack of integrity within the legislature.

Ms. Dykema said the top issues facing the district and state are job creation in the MetroWest region and statewide; improving education and increasing the efficiency of government services to get the highest return on tax dollars. In order to create jobs, the legislature must first understand what businesses need to grow — such as controlling the cost of health care and streamlining state regulations. Ms. Dykema supports the MetroWest Development Compact, prioritizes infrastructure investment in the region. She has helped secure funding for a local sewer connection project that has created more than 100 new jobs.

While the state has some of the best schools in the nation, it cannot be complacent in the face of global competition, and higher education needs to be affordable for all families. She voted for this year’s state budget that increased special education aid and added more than $1.3 million of state aid to the district.

“Every dollar of state funding for schools is one less dollar needed from local property taxes — keeping our schools strong while recognizing the challenges of local families and senior citizens,” Ms. Dykema said, adding that she supports programs aimed at improving science, technology, engineering and math. “The quality of our schools will determine the quality of our future.”

If elected, Mr. Lamb vows to bring new ideas and strong leadership to Beacon Hill with a focus on reform and making the state more business-friendly. He said he will also be a strong presence in the district with weekly office hours.A small-business owner himself, Mr. Lamb said he has developed a plan to reduce unemployment and create economic security.

Mr. Lamb will work for a more transparent government. He supports ending the legislative exemption to the open meeting and open records laws. He added that the legislature should also abide by procurement laws and that bills coming out of conference committee should be available 24 hours prior to a floor vote for due consideration.

“It is not enough to attend meetings. Our next state representative must have a plan,” Mr. Lamb said, noting that he is the candidate who will vote for the needs of the district, not under direction of House leadership. “I will reform the law prohibiting freelancers and tackle other regulations that hold us back.”